Quebec Winter Getaway with Hôtel de Glace

With a gorgeous mountainous topography, a mighty river and a unique French culture, Québec has a lot to offer visitors all year long. Winter is an especially scenic time in the province and this excursion makes it easy to explore the province’s two largest cities by rail with the added bonus of exploring the incredible Ice Hotel.

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN MONTRÉAL

Get ready to fall in love with the vibrant culture of scenic Montréal. Set on an island at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers, Montréal is the largest urban centre in the province. You’ll spend three nights in the city, giving you lots of time to explore.

Accommodation: Sens Hotel Montreal (or similar)

DAY 2-3: EXPLORE MONTRÉAL

Whether there’s a sprinkling of snow on the trees or a foot of snow on the ground, winter turns Montréal into a cozy oasis. With great food at the core of city life, be sure to include lots of stops for meals, warm beverages and snacks as you explore the city independently. There are excellent public transportation options to get around the city without a car or bundle up and explore on foot.

Visit the well-preserved town centre of Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal), stop in the Notre Dame Basilica, or rent some skates and go for a spin on the ice in the Old Port. Montréalers don’t shy away from winter, so you’ll find a lot happening outdoors from festivals and markets to winter activities at Mount Royal Park and a vibrant nightlife downtown.

If time allows, we highly recommend a visit to the Montréal Biodôme, a science museum unlike any other in Canada. Here you’ll get to experience five unique ecosystems of the Americas in an interactive setting.

Accommodation: Sens Hotel Montreal (or similar)

DAY 4: MONTREAL TO QUEBEC CITY AND THE HÔTEL DE GLACE

Take a taxi to the Montréal train station and board your scenic VIA Rail train to Québec City. Once you arrive, take another taxi to the Ice Hotel (located approximately 35 minutes north of the city). Tonight you will be experiencing one of Canada’s most unique overnight stays.

While the exact design of the annual Ice Hotel is a well-guarded secret, each year the designers come up with a breathtaking masterpiece that is made of custom-made ice blocks and centred around a unique theme. The magical atmosphere includes ice sculptures, snow arches, fireplaces and a welcoming vibe.

Everything inside is geared towards a cozy experience, from the warm sleeping bags to the deer pelts covering the ice beds. Admire the craftsmanship of the hotel’s many rooms and enjoy a welcome cocktail at the ice bar before settling in for the night. Guests of the Ice Hotel also have an included room at the regular hotel onsite, where warm showers and amenities are all available. Onsite you will also find a winter park with plenty of activities to keep you busy.

Accommodation: Ice Hotel

DAY 5: EXPLORE QUEBEC CITY

After experiencing the gorgeous morning light as it filters through the frosty structure of the Ice Hotel, make your way to Québec City to start your two-night stay in one of the continent’s oldest French settlements. This walkable city has pedestrian-friendly cobblestone streets, stone archways for capturing incredible pictures and even a toboggan slide on the famous Dufferin Terrace to get the heart racing.

The only North American walled city north of Mexico, Québec City is well known for its unique European atmosphere and is considered the birthplace of French North America. In the winter, the city transforms into a snowy wonderland — spectacularly lit up by twinkling lights in the evenings.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Palace Royal (or similar)

DAY 6: QUEBEC CITY WALKING TOUR

No visit to Québec City is complete without a walk through the heart of the Old City, which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today Follow your guide off the beaten path! Historical characters will let you experience 400 years of the city’s captivating past. In addition to the Château Frontenac, the Dufferin Terrace and the Notre-Dame-de-Québec Cathedral Basilica, the tour will also take you to the Petit-Champlain district and Place Royale to admire numerous 17th and 18th century buildings.

Accommodation: Hotel Palace Royal (or similar)

DAY 7: QUEBEC CITY TO MONTREAL

After one final breakfast in charming Québec City, take a taxi to the train station to board your VIA Rail train back to Montréal.

This package includes one night in the Ice Hotel and 5 nights in 4-star accommodations. It is possible to upgrade this package to include stays at the legendary Fairmont Queen Elizabeth (Montréal) and the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac (Québec City) OR upgrade to boutique hotels such as the Hotel Place d’Armes in Montréal and the Auberge St-Antoine in Québec City.